This title describes the people my husband and I are becoming. Our faith in God and His word in our mouth make us victorious overcomers. I am hoping as I blog I will grow by leaps and bounds and share the love that God has shed abroad in my heart.

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Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Stuart & Peyton, a.k.a. Stuart

I believe I’ve mentioned before the fact that Peyton was nicknamed Stuart by his rodeo friends. This was no accident.

Stuart Mazanec went to Heaven April 26, 2006, a year & approximately 8 months before Peyton.

I think the similarities are striking. Both long and lean with a love of the outdoors, hunting and fishing with their dads. (and they love their mommas too) Their last similarity was rodeo. Stuart liked the bucking broncs and Peyton liked the bulls. Stuart was at a bronc riding clinic when he had his fatal accident. Peyton was bucked off a bull. I found Stuart’s story on the internet when I “googled” rodeo deaths. I believe God led me there. I was compelled to read Stuart’s story because of the nickname.

I read the article over and over, even looking at his myspace page regularly over a six month period. Finally, I wrote his family. His mom and I started emailing each other right away, sometimes several times a day. Within a few months, Tom & I flew out to meet them. I had never done anything like that before. It was totally out of my comfort zone. I anticipated the visit so much. I had to keep telling myself over and over that I would not be meeting Stuart when we got there. Even now, I miss a young man I have never met.

This picture is of the jacket of the guy who named Peyton, Stuart. (the birthdate is wrong, but it doesn’t matter)

Here is a decal that another rodeo friend had made.

I took these pictures with us on our visit, so Stuart’s family would know thiswhole “Stuart” thing was real and I wasn’t some crazy stalker. They would have never thought that but I took them anyway. :)

We have a bond with this family unlike any other. We love them and we love their son.

I wrote all this to say, God is good. He gives us promptings and leadings to bless our lives. God prompted Peyton’s friend to call him Stuart. I knew God wanted me to write Stuart’s family. What if I hadn’t? My life would be less if I did not know them.

Right now the enemy is whispering in my ear, ‘why didn’t God warn you of Peyton’s accident?’ ‘why didn’t He tell you not to let him ride?’ I don’t know. It doesn’t matter. What I do know is that God loves me and cares for me in ways that I cannot fathom. Satan would like it so much if I were to doubt God. It’s not going to happen.

Please do not comment that “everything happens for a reason”. I wrote how I feel about that in this post.

Here’s a few more pictures, just because.

Oh Stuart, I wish we were ALL there. I know you and Peyton are having a great time. I can’t wait to meet you.

What a great post. I love how you are so honest and real about your feelings. It truly helps those of us going through this process together. I hope that one day God will let me meet the young girl that hit Blake on his motorcycle. I would tell her how wonderful he was and how he wouldn't want her life ruined over it. In a split second she made a mistake that most inexperience drivers make.

I am so thankful that God has prompted certain people to write to me and encourage me. One particular friend just shared her heart and story with me. She had compassion and was living proof that it is good to glorify and honor God after the death of your child. Even when it's hard and even when you don't have all the answers to the questions. The devil does whisper doubts and fears into our ears, doesn't he? I am so thankful that God gives us the tools to resist the devil's fiery darts! Keep holding to the truth, Becky!

Love,Marsha

PS I don't believe in coincidence. "aka Stuart" is one of those details that is further proof that God does have a plan and He is in control! He cares so much for you not only in the big things, but the little things as well.